Perimenopause & Menopause Care
The transition into perimenopause and menopause can bring changes in mood, sleep, energy, and daily comfort. At About Women By Women, we offer supportive, individualized care to help you understand these shifts and find effective relief.
With over 30 years of caring for women across Wellesley, Natick, Millis, and Walpole in MA, we provide expert medical care to help navigate these stages with clarity and confidence.
Understanding Perimenopause & Menopause
Perimenopause and menopause are natural phases of a woman’s life, but the hormonal changes they bring can feel unfamiliar or disruptive.
It is the gradual transition phase leading up to menopause, when estrogen and progesterone levels begin to fluctuate.
This stage can last several years and often brings irregular or heavier/lighter periods, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep changes, or mood shifts. Symptoms may come and go as hormone levels rise and fall.
It begins once you’ve gone 12 months without a period. At this point, the ovaries produce much lower levels of estrogen and progesterone than during your reproductive years, and periods stop permanently.
Many of the symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, or sleep difficulties, may continue into menopause, though their intensity can vary. Longer-term changes, such as an increased risk of bone loss, can also develop due to persistently lower hormone levels.
At About Women By Women, our OB/GYN team offers expert care to help you understand the changes these phases bring and find relief.
We have over 30 years of experience supporting women through perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. This means we understand how differently these transitions can unfold from one person to another. That perspective helps us recognize patterns, anticipate challenges, and guide you toward treatments that match your symptoms and overall health.
Perimenopause & Menopause Symptoms
Changes That Disrupt Your Health & Daily Life
Perimenopause and menopause can bring physical, emotional, and sexual changes, some mild, others disruptive enough to affect your daily routine.
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Mood swings, irritability, or anxiety
- Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Vaginal dryness or burning
- Painful intercourse
- Decreased libido
- Pelvic pressure or urinary leakage
- Weight changes or slowed metabolism
- Headaches or new breast tenderness
- Joint stiffness or ache
- Perimenopausal menorrhagia (Heavy menstrual bleeding during perimenopause)
- Postmenopausal bleeding (always needs evaluation)
At About Women By Women, your symptoms are never dismissed or minimized. Our OB/GYNs identify what’s causing these changes and offer solutions that help you feel more like yourself again.
Perimenopause & Menopause Symptoms
Changes That Disrupt Your Health & Daily Life
Perimenopause and menopause can bring physical, emotional, and sexual changes, some mild, others disruptive enough to affect your daily routine.
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Mood swings, irritability, or anxiety
- Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Vaginal dryness or burning
- Painful intercourse
- Decreased libido
- Pelvic pressure or urinary leakage
- Weight changes or slowed metabolism
- Headaches or new breast tenderness
- Joint stiffness or ache
- Perimenopausal menorrhagia (Heavy menstrual bleeding during perimenopause)
- Postmenopausal bleeding (always needs evaluation)
At About Women By Women, your symptoms are never dismissed or minimized. Our OB/GYNs identify what’s causing these changes and offer solutions that help you feel more like yourself again.
Menopause & Osteoporosis
At About Women By Women, we look at your whole health during perimenopause and menopause, including how hormonal changes may affect your bones.
As estrogen levels decline, the body naturally loses bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis over time. That’s why our team stays proactive in monitoring your bone health.
When appropriate, we offer:
Bone density testing when risk factors are present or when you reach the recommended screening age
Medication options for women who need additional support to prevent or slow bone loss
Supplement guidance, including calcium and vitamin D recommendations
Lifestyle strategies to strengthen bone health, such as weight-bearing exercise, balance training, and nutrition support
Our goal is to help you stay strong, active, and confident through menopause and beyond.
How We Support You Through This Transition
Your experience in midlife is unique. At About Women By Women, we focus on care that respects your comfort, your concerns, and your ability to make informed choices.
Our multilingual, all-female OB/GYN team provides:
Non-dismissive, validating care that acknowledges what you’re experiencing and never minimizes your symptoms.
Unrushed visits that give you time to talk through multiple concerns: physical, emotional, or sexual.
Clear, practical explanations about your symptoms, hormonal changes, and the treatment options to choose from.
Care that focuses on your comfort, safety, and consent during pelvic exams and intimate discussions, like vaginal dryness or sexual pain.
Responsive follow-up when symptoms change or new concerns arise.
Postmenopausal Bleeding Evaluation & Treatment
Any bleeding that occurs after 12 months without a menstrual period is considered postmenopausal bleeding. While the cause is often something treatable, such as thinning of the uterine lining, polyps, or other benign changes, it can also be an early sign of something more serious, like uterine cancer.
Bleeding after menopause is not normal. Our OB/GYNs offer prompt, thorough evaluation and personalized treatment for postmenopausal bleeding. This may include:
- A pelvic exam performed with clear explanations and attention to comfort
- Review of your medical history and medications
- Assessment for endometrial causes when appropriate
- Lab testing to assess hormone levels or other factors
- Ultrasound imaging to assess polyps or uterine changes
- Pap test or HPV testing, if indicated
If treatment is needed, our provider will outline each option clearly. Depending on the cause, care may include hormonal treatment for thinning tissue, in-office removal of polyps, medication, or additional procedures when medically necessary.
Postmenopausal BleedingEvaluation & Treatment
Any bleeding that occurs after 12 months without a menstrual period is considered postmenopausal bleeding. While the cause is often something treatable, such as thinning of the uterine lining, polyps, or other benign changes, it can also be an early sign of something more serious, like uterine cancer.
Bleeding after menopause is not normal. Our OB/GYNs offer prompt, thorough evaluation and personalized treatment for postmenopausal bleeding. This may include:
- A pelvic exam performed with clear explanations and attention to comfort
- Review of your medical history and medications
- Assessment for endometrial causes when appropriate
- Lab testing to assess hormone levels or other factors
- Ultrasound imaging to assess polyps or uterine changes
- Pap test or HPV testing, if indicated
If treatment is needed, our provider will outline each option clearly. Depending on the cause, care may include hormonal treatment for thinning tissue, in-office removal of polyps, medication, or additional procedures when medically necessary.
Assessments & Evaluations for Menopause
At About Women By Women, your evaluation is focused on identifying what’s causing your symptoms and determining the most effective next steps. We offer on-site lab services, allowing many tests to be completed during your visit when needed.
Your provider may recommend specific assessments based on your symptoms, medical history, and risk factors. These may include:
Hormone testing (as appropriate) to clarify whether symptoms are due to perimenopause, menopause, or another condition
Thyroid and metabolic screening when symptoms overlap with other health issues
Pelvic and vaginal health evaluation, including dryness, discomfort, or pain with intercourse
Bone health risk assessment, especially if there is a family history or early signs of bone loss
Evidence-Based Treatment Options
Treatment at About Women By Women is personalized to your symptoms, medical history, and comfort. We offer a range of evidence-based options and guide you through what may work best for your stage of life.
Hormone Therapy (When Appropriate)
Hormone therapy can be one of the most effective ways to ease hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and sleep disruptions, which are common during perimenopause and menopause.
We offer:
- Vaginal estrogen for dryness, discomfort, and painful intercourse
- Estrogen and progesterone replacements for steady hormone support
- Transdermal testosterone for decreased libido
We will walk you through each option and help you choose what feels right for your health and comfort.
Non-Hormonal Treatments
For women who cannot or prefer not to use hormone medications, we offer a range of alternative non-hormonal treatments.
- Prescription options for hot flashes and night sweats
- Non-hormonal vaginal treatments for dryness or discomfort
- Medications to support sleep or mood symptoms
- Lubricants and long-acting vaginal moisturizers
Endometrial Ablation for Heavy Perimenopausal Bleeding
Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding can be one of the most disruptive symptoms during perimenopause. When bleeding does not improve with medication, our OB/GYNs may discuss endometrial ablation as a treatment option.
Endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that treats heavy menstrual bleeding by removing the uterine lining. The goal is to significantly reduce bleeding, and in some cases, stop periods altogether, while avoiding major surgery.
At About Women By Women, endometrial ablation is considered only after a careful evaluation to understand the cause of bleeding. Once we confirm that this approach is appropriate for you, our providers explain the procedure clearly and discuss expected outcomes and limitations.
Menopause Care in the MetroWest Area, MA
You don’t have to navigate perimenopause and menopause changes alone. Whether you’re experiencing new symptoms or need guidance on treatment options, we are here to help you feel supported, informed, and cared for.
To schedule an appointment with us, please call us at (781) 263-0033 or request an appointment online.
